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Proceeding Directly to Ph.D.
Philosophy
Criteria
Procedure
Philosophy
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The experience, perspective, and maturity gained in a Masters program is essential to successful completion of a
Ph.D. However, these characteristics may in some cases be gained without formal completion of the M.S. degree. Therefore, the option
of bypassing completion of the Masters degree should exist. This option may be appropriate for some students with strong research
backgrounds and those making rapid progress in their graduate work. Because it is difficult to evaluate the abilities of students not
in residence, it is necessary for all non-Masters degree students to begin in our Masters program. After sufficient time for
evaluation and review, these students may petition the Department Head for direct admission to the Ph.D. program.
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Criteria
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For a student to be admitted into the Ph.D. program without completing a Masters degree, the student must show abilities comparable to a
beginning Ph.D. candidate with a Masters degree. The following elements are considered important:
Significant experience in research (planning, execution, analysis, interpretation, and writing.
Depth and breadth, both in research experience and course work.
Intellectual and emotional maturity. The student should inspire high confidence in their ability to complete a Ph.D.
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Procedure
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Students will normally be enrolled for at least one year in the Masters program before petitioning. To petition, a
student will write a letter to the Department Head that discusses the student's goals and abilities with respect to the above criteria.
The letter should describe, or include, specific examples of accomplishments and qualifications. The major professor will also write a
letter that gives an independent assessment of the student's abilities. The Scholastic Committee will review the case and make a
recommendation to the Department Head, who will make the final decision.
With the major professor's consent, students with strong backgrounds who desire to proceed into the Ph.D. program
without completing a Masters degree may form a committee early in their programs following the Ph.D. model. The committees would be
composed of five persons and constituted under University Ph.D. program guidelines (which would normally also satisfy Masters committee
guidelines). It would, however, formally be a Masters committee until the student is admitted to the Ph.D. program.
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